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Entertainment • Film

Kalank

Kalank is a 2019 Indian Hindi-language period romantic drama film directed by Abhishek Varman.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Kalank is a 2019 Indian Hindi-language period romantic drama film directed by Abhishek Varman. Set in 1945 in pre-independence India, it features an ensemble cast including Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, Aditya Roy Kapur, Sonakshi Sinha, Madhuri Dixit, and Sanjay Dutt.

Plot

The film follows intersecting romantic and family relationships in pre-independence India, with the social tensions of the era shaping the characters’ lives. The story is set in the fictional town of Husnabad during the pre-Partition period.

Cast and production

Kalank features a large ensemble cast and was produced by Karan Johar, Hiroo Yash Johar, Apoorva Mehta, and Sajid Nadiadwala. Abhishek Varman directed the film.

Release

The film was released theatrically on 17 April 2019 in India and internationally. It was promoted as a wide-release Bollywood production. Wikipedia states that it opened on 5,300 screens worldwide, making it the widest Bollywood release of 2019.

Reception

The available search results include listing and synopsis sources, but do not provide a consistent critical consensus or awards information. More detailed reception data would require additional verified sources.

Key facts

  • Kalank is a 2019 Hindi-language film with a period-romance storyline set before Indian independence.
  • The film was directed by Abhishek Varman and produced under Dharma Productions and Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment.
  • It stars Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, Aditya Roy Kapur, Sonakshi Sinha, Madhuri Dixit, and Sanjay Dutt.
  • The film was released on 17 April 2019.
  • Wikipedia states that it opened on 5,300 screens worldwide, making it the widest Bollywood release of 2019.
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Canadian context

Kalank may be of interest to Canadian readers as part of mainstream Hindi-language cinema available through international streaming platforms and diaspora film coverage.

Frequently asked questions

What is Kalank?
Kalank is a 2019 Indian Hindi-language period romantic drama film directed by Abhishek Varman.
When was Kalank released?
It was released on 17 April 2019.
Who starred in Kalank?
The film stars Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, Aditya Roy Kapur, Sonakshi Sinha, Madhuri Dixit, and Sanjay Dutt.
What is Kalank set in?
It is set in 1945, in pre-independence India, before the Partition of India.
Who directed Kalank?
Abhishek Varman directed the film.
What genre is Kalank?
It is generally described as a period romantic drama, with history and drama also listed by some sources.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalank
    Supports: Director, production companies, cast, release date, setting, and wide-release claim
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6988116/
    Supports: Basic film identification, language, genre, and release date
  3. The Movie Buff — https://www.themoviebuff.net/2021/02/review-bollywoods-kalank-a-pathetic-attempt-at-sugarcoating-and-profiting-off-the-horrors-of-the-partition/
    Supports: Plot description and thematic discussion
  4. The Times of India — https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/previews/kalank/articleshow/68904473.cms
    Supports: Director, producers, release date, cast, and pre-Independence setting
  5. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/kalank
    Supports: Synopsis, director, genre, language, and release date
  6. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/82739048
    Supports: Streaming availability and plot premise